Of first importance...

God drew me to 1 Corinthians 15 this week as I was thinking about his resurrection. At the beginning of that chapter, Paul makes a significant statement. In verses three and four, he tells us what truths are key to a proper understanding of the good news.

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures...” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, NIV)

Three things are vital to the gospel message.

First, Jesus died for our sins. He died in our place – the good for the bad, the sinless for the sinful, the innocent for the guilty. Jesus received the punishment for my sin and yours. Death was the punishment. It was the price that had to be paid. “The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23a, NIV)

All through the Old Testament you see that. Sin requires death. The blood of bulls and goats covered over the sins of Israel. Jesus’ blood takes away our sin!

John recognized Jesus as our sacrifice. He shouted out for all to hear, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29b, NIV)

The prophet Isaiah said the Savior would take our punishment.

“Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:4-5, NIV)

Jesus died for our sins. He is the Savior!

The second thing Paul says is “of first importance” is that Jesus was buried. It doesn’t say it here, but the fact that he was laid in a rich guy’s tomb is important. We learn from Isaiah that the Savior would be “assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:9, NIV)

Jesus was buried in the tomb of one of the members of the ruling council in Jerusalem – a rich guy! Amazing! God knew to mention that detail thousands of years before Jesus was even conceived in the virgin’s womb.

Finally, Paul says it’s “of first importance” that Jesus rose from the dead. Why? Well he tells us a few verses later in 1 Corinthians 15:18, “…if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” (NIV) So if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, we’re still dead, still condemned, still without hope.

“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all died, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-23, NIV)

Jesus’ resurrection guarantees the future resurrection of those who believe. We have hope because Jesus rose.

Jesus died for our sins. He was buried. Three days later he arose. This is the good news for sin-damned people. The price has been paid. Eternal life is available to all who believe. Won’t you believe and be saved?

To receive my once or twice weekly message via email, send a blank email to webmessage-subscribe@associate.com. Past messages are available at freegroups.net/groups/webmessage.